HCIA Study Guide 2023

HEALTHCARE
INTERPRETER
ASSESSMENT
(HCIA®)
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................................................................... 3
TEST ADMINISTRATION .......................................................................................................................... 3
STRUCTURE ............................................................................................................................................. 3
Knowledge Assessment .......................................................................................................................... 4
Performance Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 7
DOCUMENTATION OF ACCOMMODATION ............................................................................................ 9
Appendix B: Preparing for the Test ...................................................................................................... 10
Medical Acronyms and Abbreviations.................................................................................................. 11
Medical Terminology ............................................................................................................................ 12
Medicare VS Medicaid.......................................................................................................................... 13
Notes on Interpreter Ethics and Standards of Practice ........................................................................ 14
Medical Terms To Know ....................................................................................................................... 16

Healthcare Interpreter Assessment
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The Healthcare Interpreter Assessment (HCIA®) tests whether an interpreter meets the standard
to be qualified as a medical interpreter by demonstrating sufficient skill and understanding of
professional standards of conduct. It is based on the formats of the national certification. Currently
the full assessment is available in Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, Russian, and
Burmese. Other languages are also assessed by professional evaluators using a modified version of
this assessment.
TEST ADMINISTRATION
The test must be administered in a quiet, private testing area.
Exam administration requires a computer with high-speed internet access, a working microphone
and sound speakers. A separate microphone (which can be a headset) is highly recommended, as
are wired headphones. Bluetooth headphones are highly discouraged for the oral portion of the
assessment.
Examinees may not share notes, observations, summaries or any other type of description about the
exams, including recordings, screenshots, pictures, or other forms of documentation. During the
consecutive interpreting section, note-taking to aid memory is permitted, but notes must be
destroyed immediately after the exam.
The assessment is divided into two parts, and both are administered online only. Examinees are
allowed 90 minutes (1 and a half hours) to complete the knowledge part of the assessment and
about 35 minutes to complete the performance part of the assessment. There are five
consecutive interpreting mini-scenarios ranging from four to seven minutes each. There is one
sight translation section from English into the LOTE (language other than English), which will take
approximately six minutes, including two minutes to review prior to recording.
SCORE REQUIREMENTS
To pass the knowledge component of the test, 80% of the items must be answered correctly in
each of the four knowledge elements. To pass the performance component of the test, the
examinee must earn a score of 75% or greater.
After six months, a candidate may retest, although more time is recommended. It is
recommended that a candidate review Appendix B and engage in reading and preparatory study
before retaking the assessment.
STRUCTURE
The assessment is divided into two parts (knowledge and performance) and is based on the
formats of the two national certification exams.
CCHI – Certification NBCMI – Certification MasterWord’s HCIA
Healthcare Terminology and Processes Yes Yes Yes
Consecutive Interpreting Yes Yes Yes
Sight Translation Yes Yes Yes
Simultaneous Interpretation Yes No No
Interpreter Ethics and Mechanics Yes Yes Yes
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KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT
The knowledge assessment consists of 75 multiple choice questions. All questions are in English
and are divided into four categories: healthcare terminology, healthcare processes, interpreting
ethics and interpreting mechanics. Passing this part of the assessment does not mean that a
person has become a qualified interpreter; rather, it means that the examinee has met the first
requirement for approval and qualifies to move on to the second step and take the performance
assessment. To pass the test, 80 percent of the items must be answered correctly in each of the
four knowledge elements. Please see Appendix A regarding ADA accommodations.
The knowledge assessment measures candidates’ knowledge of two areas central to the work of a
healthcare interpreter at the level minimally required for a qualified healthcare interpreter:
1. Healthcare-Related Terms and Processes. To function as a professional healthcare

interpreter, familiarity with medical terminology, areas of medical specialization, health
insurance, and related procedures is essential. Accordingly, the knowledge assessment measures
recognition of healthcare-related situations and vocabulary.
2. Ethics and Professional Conduct. The second area of knowledge required of professional
healthcare interpreters encompassed in the knowledge test is a good understanding of standards
guiding the performance and conduct for healthcare interpreters. Accordingly, questions aimed
at measuring candidates’ knowledge of ethical behavior and professional conduct are included in
the knowledge assessment.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
Instructions: The following items consist of unfinished sentences marked with an empty space at
the end. These sentences are related to healthcare in various ways such as areas of a hospital,
names of jobs in healthcare, names of practices, interpreter standards of practice, and/or things
related to healthcare policy. Select the word or phrase that best completes the sentence.
Example 1: A person who uses a machine that works in the place of his/her kidneys is said to be
on__________ .
a. medication
b. dialysis
c. supplements
d. IV
Example 2: To maintain accuracy, the interpreter must take cultural context __________________.
a. for granted
b. with a grain of salt
c. out of the interpretation
d. into consideration
(answers: 1.B, 2.D)
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Instructions: The item below consists of a medical term or acronym written in bold. These terms
and/or acronyms are related to healthcare in various ways such as areas of a hospital, names of jobs
in healthcare, names of practices, and/or things related to healthcare policy. Select the word or
phrase that best represents the common terminology or has the same or closest to the same
meaning for the bold word/phrase or acronym.
Example 1: cardiac arrest

a. stroke
b. heart attack
c. hyperventilation
d. hypertension
(answer: 1.B)
Instructions: These items are each a sentence with a word or phrase missing, represented by a
blank space. These sentences are related to healthcare in various ways such as areas of a hospital,
related to healthcare policy. Select the word or phrase that best fits in the space provided.
Example 1: People who have a tumor that is ____________________don’t face the problem of it
being cancerous.
a. malignant
b. benign
c. mutated
d. bacterial
Example 2: An interpreter must maintain ______________ at all times. This is why it is not a good
idea to interpret for friends and family members.
a. anonymity
b. tranquility
c. impartiality
d. accuracy
(answers: 1.B, 2.C)
Instructions: The next two items are questions about general healthcare and interpreter
terminology. These questions are related to healthcare in various ways such as areas of a hospital,
related to healthcare policy. Choose the word or phrase from the list that best answers the
question.
Example 1: What is the name of the elastic band that is tied around a person’s arm before an injection
with a needle?
a. a syringe
b. a tourniquet
c. a stethoscope
d. an MRI
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Example 2: What should an interpreter do if he/she doesn’t understand what is being said?
a. say “I, the interpreter, do not understand.”
b. Interpret what he/she does understand and use context clues to figure the rest out
c. skip what was not understood, but tell the patient/client what was skipped
d. wing it
(answers: 1.B, 2.A)
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PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
The oral performance assessment is the second of the two parts of the HCIA®. It assesses the
ability of examinees to convey meaning accurately without omitting, adding, summarizing or
editorializing any information while maintaining the proper amount of professionalism between
patients and healthcare professionals. There are two components to the oral assessment:
1. Consecutive Interpreting. Consists of five mini consecutive-interpreting scenarios. Each
scenario contains a recording of an exchange between a healthcare practitioner and a patient, to
be interpreted by the examinee.
2. Sight Translation. Consists of one brief document to be sight translated from English into the
LOTE (Language Other Than English). Examinees will have no more than two minutes to read the
document and make notes in preparation. The recording for the voice interpretation will begin
immediately following the end of the preparation period. The interpretation must be made in
four minutes or less.
SAMPLE SCENARIO FOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Scene: A patient is talking to her doctor after being admitted to the hospital. This is the first time
they have met.
Practitioner (in English): Hello, Mrs. Garcia. I would like to start by asking a few questions.
Is that ok?
Patient (in LOTE): Yes, doctor. Fire away.
Practitioner (in English): Ok. Where exactly do you feel pain?
Patient (in LOTE): Actually, I feel it all over. Sometimes it just feels like my entire body hurts.
Practitioner (in English): Is this a constant pain or does it come and go?
Patient (in LOTE): It isn’t all the time, but it does last for long periods of time.
Practitioner (in English): Do you feel it now?
Patient (in LOTE): No, not at this moment. Am I going to be ok, doctor?
SAMPLE SIGHT TRANSLATION

Preoperative Instructions for Surgery-Local Anesthesia Before Surgery:
1. Do not take aspirin, medications containing aspirin, any anti-inflammatory and herbal
alternatives two weeks prior to surgery. Please refer to medications to avoid list. If you are
unsure if a medication that you are taking is to be avoided, please ask the doctor. If needed,
Tylenol may be taken after consulting with the doctor.
2. Smoking must be stopped two weeks prior to, and two weeks after surgery. Nicotine patches
and gum MAY NOT BE USED.
3. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SMOKING OR THE USE OF UNAUTHORIZED MEDICATIONS CAN LEAD
TO COMPLICATIONS AND JEOPARDIZE THE RESULT OF YOUR SURGERY!
4. Report any signs of a cold or infection occurring within the week prior to your surgery.
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APPENDIX A
MASTERWORD HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER ASSESSMENT REQUEST FOR ADA

ACCOMMODATION
Complete this form only if you are requesting individual testing arrangements because you have a
disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
APPLICANT NAME:
Have you been diagnosed with a disability that is recognized by the ADA: Yes No
Describe the type of disability:

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
I request an accommodation, which is described in the Documentation of Accommodation, attached

hereto.
Signature Date
Attach the Documentation of Accommodation form and send via email to tad@masterword.com
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DOCUMENTATION OF ACCOMMODATION
This section must be completed by an appropriate professional (doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or
education professional) to certify that your disabling condition requires the requested exam
accommodation.
If you have existing documentation of having the same or similar accommodation provided to you in
another test situation, you may submit such documentation instead of having this portion of the form
completed.
I HAVE KNOWN______________________________________________SINCE_________________
(APPLICANT NAME) (DATE)
AS A _________________________________________________.
(PATIENT, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP)
I HAVE DIAGNOSED OR EVALUATED THE APPLICANT MYSELF AND I AM NOT RELYING UPON FACTS
RELATED TO ME BY THE APPLICANT. MY DIAGNOSIS IS
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(DESCRIBE THE MEDICAL OR OTHER CONDITION)
THE APPLICANT HAS DISCUSSED WITH ME THE NATURE OF THE TEST TO BE ADMINISTERED. IT IS MY
PROFESSIONAL OPINION THAT BECAUSE OF THIS APPLICANT ‘S DISABILITY, HE/SHE SHOULD BE
ACCOMMODATED BY PROVIDING THE FOLLOWING: (CHECK ALL THOSE THAT APPLY)
Large type print Extra time (how much?)

Separate testing area An examination reader
Other oral administration (describe) Other accommodation (describe)
Signature and Title of Professional: Date:
Printed Name and Title: Phone Number:
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APPENDIX B: PREPARING FOR THE TEST
If you are not familiar with taking written multiple-choice tests, you may find it beneficial to study
preparation material for similar exams such as the TOEFL (ww.ets.org/stoefl.html), SAT or GRE. There are
many similarly structured tests online with a focus on medical terminology.
With respect to healthcare-related terms and usage, some of the following activities might be helpful in
expanding knowledge and preparing for the test:
1. Attend MasterWord Institute trainings for medical interpreters, as found at

http://masterword.institute.
2. Take a course in medical terminology at a local college.
3. Read widely from books, professional journals, editorials, and healthcare articles in newspapers and
news websites.
4. Review healthcare insurance information and forms downloadable from most insurance companies
and hospitals.
5. Watch online instructional videos or read instructional material about healthcare topics such as:
a. https://www.humana.com/learning-center/stay-smart-stay-healthy/ (Insurance)
b. www.cms.gov (Medicare and Medicaid)
c. www.dmu.edu/medterms/ (Online medical terminology course)
6. Ask for copies of intake, insurance, allergy, and consent forms from the local clinic or hospital to
review procedures and vocabulary.
7. Reviewing study guides for national certification tests from CCHI and NBCMI will also help in
preparing for the MasterWord HCIA®.
• http://www.certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org/
• NBCMI_Handbook.pdf (certifiedmedicalinterpreters.org)
• Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (cchicertification.org)
• CCHI_Candidate_Examination_Handbook.pdf (cchicertification.org)
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MEDICAL ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AAA: abdominal aortic CHD: congenital heart MS: multiple sclerosis
aneurysm disease
OB: obstetrics
a.c.: “ante CNS: central nervous
OR: operating room
cibum” before system
meals P: Pulse
COPD: chronic obstructive
AMI: acute pulmonary disease p.c.: “post cibum” after meals
myocardial PCP: primary care provider
CSF: cerebrospinal fluid
infarction
Ct/CAT: computerized axial PET: positron emission tomography
ANS: autonomic
tomography q.d.: once a day
nervous system
Dx: diagnosis q.i.d: “quater in die” four times a day
ARD: acute
respiratory ED: erectile dysfunction q.h.: “quaque hora” hourly
disease ECT: electroconvulsive q.2h.: every 2 hours
BAC: blood therapy
alcohol content R: respiration
EKG: electrocardiogram
BBT: basal body RBC: red blood cells
ENT: ear, nose, throat
temperature Rx: prescription medication
F: Fahrenheit
BE: barium enema Staph: staphylococcus
GERD: gastroesophageal
BID: “bis in die” twice a day reflux disease Stat: immediately
BP: blood pressure GI: gastrointestinal Strep: streptococcus
BUN: blood urea nitrogen GTT: glucose tolerance test SOB: shortness of breath
C: Celsius Hb: Hemoglobin T: temperature
Ca: cancer Hx: medical history TFT: thyroid function testing
CAD: coronary artery IBW: ideal body weight TID: three times a day
disease
IPL: intense pulse light Tx: treatment
CBC: complete blood count
IV: intravenous VD: venereal disease
cc: cubic centimeter or
KUB: kidneys, ureters, bladder WBC: white blood cell
“cum cibos” with food
ml: milliliter Wt: weight
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MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
Bear in mind that most medical terms are derived from Latin and Greek roots. Therefore if you
learn what roots, prefixes, and suffixes mean, you stand a greater chance of deducing the meaning
of the medical term.
Ex. Arrhythmia: An irregularity in the force or rhythm of the heartbeat.

a– away/without
rhythm/o – rhythm
ia – condition/state/thing
Ex. Antiarrhythmic: Preventing or alleviating irregularities in the force or rhythm of the heart.
anti – against
Ex. Antipyretic: Preventing fever.

anti – against
pyr/o – fire, burning
etic – pertaining to
Ex. Pericardium: The membrane sac that encloses the heart in vertebrate animals.
peri – around
my/o - muscle
card/i – heart
um – structure
Ex. Myocardium: The middle layer of the heart, consisting of cardiac muscle.
my/o - muscle
card/i – heart
um – structure
Ex. Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing or inability to swallow.

dys – painful/difficult/abnormal
phag/o – eating/swallowing
ia – condition/state/thing
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MEDICARE VS MEDICAID
Medicare
Medicare is an insurance program. Medical bills are paid from trust funds which those covered
have paid into. It serves people over 65 primarily, whatever their income; and serves younger
disabled people and dialysis patients. Patients pay part of costs through deductibles for
hospital and other costs. Small monthly premiums are required for non-hospital coverage.
Medicare is a federal program. It is basically the same everywhere in the United States and is
run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, an agency of the federal government.
Medicaid
Medicaid is an assistance program. Medical bills are paid from federal, state and local tax
funds. It serves low-income people of every age. Patients usually pay no part of costs for
covered medical expenses. A small co-payment is sometimes required. Medicaid is a federal-
state program. It varies from state to state. It is run by state and local governments within
federal guidelines.
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NOTES ON INTERPRETER ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

With respect to ethics and professional standards of practice, it is important that a testing
candidate be familiar with the National Standards of Practice for Interpreters in Health Care, as
produced by the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care. This guide can be downloaded
and printed from: NCIHC National Standards of Practice (ncihc.org)
All items in the assessment related to standards of practice are based on this guide.
Code of Ethics
Confidentiality
The interpreter treats as confidential, within the treating team, all information learned in the
performance of their professional duties, while observing relevant requirements regarding
disclosure.
Accuracy
The interpreter strives to render the message accurately, conveying the content and spirit of the original
message, taking into consideration its cultural context.
Impartiality
The interpreter strives to maintain impartiality and refrains from counseling, advising or projecting
personal biases or beliefs.
Boundaries
The interpreter maintains the boundaries of the professional role, refraining from personal involvement.
Cultural Competence
The interpreter continuously strives to develop awareness of his/her own and other (including
biomedical) cultures encountered in the performance of their professional duties.
Respect
The interpreter treats all parties with respect.
Advocacy
When the patient’s health, well-being, or dignity is at imminent risk, the interpreter may be justified
in acting as an advocate. Advocacy is understood as an action taken on behalf of an individual that
goes beyond facilitating communication, with the intention of supporting good health outcomes.
Advocacy must only be undertaken after careful and thoughtful analysis of the situation and if other
less intrusive actions have not resolved the problem.
Continuing Education
The interpreter strives to continually further his/her knowledge and skills.
Professionalism
The interpreter must at all times act in a professional and ethical manner.
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Standards of Practice
Accuracy
To enable other parties to know precisely what each speaker has said.
Confidentiality
To honor the private and personal nature of the healthcare interaction and maintain trust among all
parties.
Impartiality
To eliminate the effect of interpreter bias or preference
Respect
To acknowledge the inherent dignity of all parties in the interpreted encounter.
Cultural Awareness
To facilitate communication across cultural differences.
Role Boundaries
To clarify the scope and limits of the interpreting role, in order to avoid conflicts of interest.
Professionalism
To uphold the public’s trust in the interpreting profession.
Professional Development
To attain the highest possible level of competence and service.
Advocacy
To prevent harm to parties that the interpreter serves.
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MEDICAL TERMS TO KNOW
Abdominal Pain
may be felt anywhere between the chest and groin region of the body. The pain may be generalized,
localized, or it may feel like cramps in the belly. Cramping or discomfort in the stomach may be due to
gas, bloating, or constipation. Or it might be a sign of a more serious medical condition.
Antibiotics
a medicine (such as penicillin or its derivatives) that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms
Endometriosis
a condition resulting from the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and causing pelvic
pain
Cancer
a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body
Right Ventricle
the chamber within the heart that is responsible for pumping oxygen-depleted blood to the lungs
Hypotension
also known as low blood pressure, is a blood pressure under 90/60 mm/Hg. In many people, it has no
symptoms. When it does cause symptoms, these are usually unpleasant or disruptive, including
dizziness, fainting and more.
Dysphasia
language disorder marked by deficiency in the generation of speech, and sometimes also in its
comprehension, due to brain disease or damage
Geriatrics
a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and the medical care and
treatment of aging people
Psychiatrist
a medical practitioner specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness
Pediatrics
branch of medicine dealing with the development, care, and diseases of infants, children, and
adolescents
Podiatrist
a person who treats the feet and their ailments
Endocrinologist
a medical practitioner qualified to diagnose and treat disorders of the endocrine glands and hormones
Influenza
a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages causing fever, severe aching, and catarrh,
and often occurring in epidemics
Insulin
a hormone produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans, which regulates the amount of glucose
in the blood. The lack of insulin causes a form of diabetes.
Bacterium
a member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms which have cell walls but lack organelles and an
organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease
Protein
any of a class of nitrogenous organic compounds that consist of large molecules composed of one or
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more long chains of amino acids and are an essential part of all living organisms, especially as structural
components of body tissues such as muscle, hair, collagen, etc., and as enzymes and antibodies
Palliative Care
specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on providing
relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness
Anesthesiologist
physician specializing in anesthesiology
Stroke
a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 5 cause of death and a
leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen
and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts
Rhinorrhea
drainage from the nose
Residency
a stage of graduate medical education. It refers to a qualified physician (one who holds the degree of
MD, DO, MBBS, MBChB), dentist (DDS or DMD) or podiatrist (DPM) who practices medicine, dentistry, or
podiatry, respectively, usually in a hospital or clinic, under the direct or indirect supervision of a senior
medical clinician registered in that specialty such as an attending physician or consultant
Neurologist
a specialist in the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of nerves and the nervous system
Preventive Care
consists of measures taken for disease prevention
Pancreas
As part of the endocrine system, the pancreas secretes two main hormones that are vital to regulating
the glucose (also known as blood sugar) level. These include Insulin and Glucagon.
Arteries
type of blood vessel that carry blood away from the heart
Veins
type of blood vessel that carry blood to the heart
Glaucoma
a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging a nerve in the back of the
eye called the optic nerve
Agoraphobia
extreme or irrational fear of entering open or crowded places, of leaving one's own home, or of being in
places from which escape is difficult
Hemophilia
Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder. A lack of or low levels of certain proteins called “clotting
factors” characterizes the disorder.
Migraine
a recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by
nausea and disturbed vision
Prodrome
an early symptom indicating the onset of a disease or illness
Laxative
(chiefly of a drug or medicine) tending to stimulate or facilitate evacuation of the bowels
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Diuretic
medications designed to increase the amount of water and salt expelled from the body as urine
Elective procedure
Surgery that is subject to choice (election). The choice may be made by the patient or doctor.
Jaundice
a medical condition with yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, arising from excess of the pigment
bilirubin and typically caused by obstruction of the bile duct, by liver disease, or by excessive breakdown
of red blood cells.
Hernia
occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place
Hemorrhoid
swollen veins in the lower rectum
Colonoscopy
exam used to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum
Magnetic Resonance Image
medical imaging technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy and the physiological
processes of the body. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields, magnetic field gradients, and radio
waves to generate images of the organs in the body
Endoscopy
nonsurgical procedure used to examine a person's digestive tract
Cataract
a dense, cloudy area that forms in the lens of the eye
Decubitus ulcer
damage to an area of the skin caused by constant pressure on the area for a long time
Suture
sterile surgical threads used to repair cuts, commonly used to close incisions from surgery
Ultrasound
A procedure that uses high-energy sound waves to look at tissues and organs inside the body. The sound
waves make echoes that form pictures of the tissues and organs on a computer screen
Staple
can close large wounds or and are often used in minimally invasive surgery
Fibroids
tumors made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue developing in the uterus
Pituitary Gland
small, pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain below the hypothalamus. It sits in its own little
chamber under the brain known as the sella turcica. It's a part of the endocrine system and is in charge of
making several essential hormones.
MDR multiple drug-resistant
Lack of susceptibility to at least one agent in three or more chemical classes of antibiotics
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Incubation period
the time elapsed between exposure to a pathogenic organism, a chemical, or radiation, and when
symptoms and signs are first apparent
Mutation
the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form that may be transmitted to
subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of single base units in DNA, or the deletion, insertion,
or rearrangement of larger sections of genes or chromosomes
Metastasis
change of location, position, state, or form
Genetic predisposition
an increased chance or likelihood of developing a particular disease based on the presence of one or
more genetic variants and/or a family history suggestive of an increased risk of the disease
Congenital defect
structural or functional anomalies that occur during intrauterine life; Also called birth defects, congenital
disorders, or congenital malformations.
Cadaveric organ
an organ transplanted after its owner's death
Implant
to insert or fix (tissue or an artificial object) in a person's body, especially by surgery
Pacemaker
an artificial device for stimulating the heart muscle and regulating its contractions
Port
small medical appliance that is installed beneath the skin
Portal
large vein that carries blood from the stomach and the intestines to the liver
Graft
a piece of living tissue that is transplanted surgically
Arrhythmia
a condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm
Auto-immune disease
a condition in which the body's immune system mistakes its own healthy tissues as foreign and attacks
them
Tracheotomy
an opening surgically created through the neck into the trachea (windpipe) to allow direct access to the
breathing tube
Hypertension
when the blood pressure, the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels, is
consistently too high
Perinatal continuum
a model of integrated components of maternal health service from pregnancy to the post-partum period
to improve maternal, neonatal and child health
Indicated
suggest as a desirable or necessary course of action
Convulsion
a condition in which muscles contract and relax quickly and cause uncontrolled shaking of the body
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Side effect
an effect, whether positive or negative, that is secondary to the one intended; although the term is
predominantly employed to describe adverse effects, it can also apply to beneficial but unintended
consequences.
Cesarean Section
a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus
Malpractice
improper, illegal, or negligent professional activity or treatment, especially by a medical practitioner,
lawyer, or public official
Ligament
bands of tough elastic tissue around joints. They connect bone to bone, give joints support, and limit
their movement.
Tendon
a fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone
Paramedic
a person trained to give emergency medical care to people who are injured or ill, typically in a setting
outside of a hospital
Hypoglycemia
condition in which the blood sugar (glucose) level is lower than the standard range.
Melanoma
the most serious type of skin cancer. It occurs when the pigment-producing cells that give color to the
skin become cancerous
Sarcoma
an uncommon group of cancers which arise in the bones, and connective tissue such as fat and muscle
Hematoma
when an injury causes blood to collect and pool under the skin. The pooling blood gives the skin a
spongy, rubbery, lumpy feel.
Epidural anesthesia
a method of medication administration in which a medicine is injected into the epidural space around
the spinal cord
Analgesic
an analgesic drug, also called simply an analgesic, pain reliever, or painkiller, is any member of the group
of drugs used to achieve relief from pain
Syncope
temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure
Inflammation
a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often
painful, especially as a reaction to injury or infection.
Anesthetic
state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical purposes. It
may include some or all of analgesia, paralysis, amnesia, and unconsciousness.
Cyanosis
a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood
Femur
the longest and strongest bone in the human body
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Humerus
the largest bone of the upper extremity and defines the human brachium (arm)
Prosthetic
a prosthesis or prosthetic implant is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part, which may be
lost through trauma, disease, or a condition present at birth. Prostheses are intended to restore the
normal functions of the missing body part.
Glucometer
a medical device for determining the approximate concentration of glucose in the blood.
Pyrexia
a temporary increase in average body temperature of 98.6°F
Hospice
a type of health care that prioritizes comfort and quality of life by reducing pain and suffering for
terminally ill patients and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs at the end of life.
Menarche
the first menstrual cycle, or first menstrual bleeding, in female humans
Amniocentesis
a medical procedure used primarily in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal
infections as well as for sex determination
Rubella
a contagious viral infection preventable by vaccine and best known by its distinctive red rash. The
disease can spread through direct contact with the saliva or mucus of an infected person, or through the
air by respiratory droplets produced from coughing or sneezing.
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus is a group of Gram-positive bacteria that are genetically
distinct from other strains of Staphylococcus aureus
21
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Myocardial Infarction
also known as heart attack, a blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
Tetanus
a potentially fatal bacterial infection that affects the nerves. A vaccine can easily prevent the infection,
which has no cure. Tetanus causes painful muscle contractions, particularly in the jaw and neck. It can
interfere with the ability to breathe, eventually causing death.
Adrenal Gland
also known as suprarenal glands, are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of both kidneys.
Adrenal glands produce hormones that help regulate the metabolism, immune system, blood pressure,
response to stress and other essential functions.
Diphtheria
a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make toxin
(poison). It can lead to difficulty breathing, heart failure, paralysis, and even death.
Infection
the process of infecting or the state of being infected. A disease caused by microorganisms that invade
tissue
Intensive Care Unit
a department of a hospital in which patients who are dangerously ill are kept under constant observation
Primary Care Physician
the physician who provides both the first contact for a person with an undiagnosed health concern as
well as continuing care of varied medical conditions, not limited by cause, organ system, or diagnosis
Intravenous
refers to a way of giving a drug or other substance through a needle or tube inserted into a vein
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HCIA Study Guide 2023

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HEALTHCARE

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................................................................... 3

TEST ADMINISTRATION .......................................................................................................................... 3

Knowledge Assessment .......................................................................................................................... 4

Performance Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 7

DOCUMENTATION OF ACCOMMODATION ............................................................................................ 9

Appendix B: Preparing for the Test ...................................................................................................... 10

Medical Acronyms and Abbreviations.................................................................................................. 11

Medical Terminology ............................................................................................................................ 12

Notes on Interpreter Ethics and Standards of Practice ........................................................................ 14

Medical Terms To Know ....................................................................................................................... 16

1. Healthcare-Related Terms and Processes. To function as a professional healthcare

(answers: 1.B, 2.D)

Example 1: cardiac arrest

(answers: 1.B, 2.C)

(answers: 1.B, 2.A)

SAMPLE SCENARIO FOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

SAMPLE SIGHT TRANSLATION

MASTERWORD HEALTHCARE INTERPRETER ASSESSMENT REQUEST FOR ADA

Describe the type of disability:

I request an accommodation, which is described in the Documentation of Accommodation, attached

(DESCRIBE THE MEDICAL OR OTHER CONDITION)

Large type print Extra time (how much?)

Signature and Title of Professional: Date:

Printed Name and Title: Phone Number:

APPENDIX B: PREPARING FOR THE TEST

1. Attend MasterWord Institute trainings for medical interpreters, as found at

2. Take a course in medical terminology at a local college.

MEDICAL ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Ex. Arrhythmia: An irregularity in the force or rhythm of the heartbeat.

Ex. Antipyretic: Preventing fever.

Ex. Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing or inability to swallow.

NOTES ON INTERPRETER ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

MEDICAL TERMS TO KNOW

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